A computer-implemented method for dynamic adjustment of quality of service parameters is described. In one embodiment, one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters of a client of a mesh network is set based on an expected bandwidth for the mesh network. An actual bandwidth for the mesh network is measured. One or more QoS parameters of the client is automatically changed in response to the actual bandwidth differing from the expected bandwidth. The change in the QoS parameters may be configured to compensate for the difference between the actual bandwidth and the expected bandwidth.
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1. A computer-implemented method for dynamic adjustment of quality of service parameters comprising: monitoring an actual bandwidth available to one or more computing devices in a mesh network; in response to detecting a change in the actual bandwidth, changing one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters of the one or more computing devices, wherein the QoS parameters comprise one or more hierarchical token bucket parameters of a token bucket; adjusting a depth of the token bucket in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; and adjusting QoS for media traffic in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; scheduling a time to perform a channel switch to an alternate channel in the mesh network; and sending to at least one of an associated access point and an associated mobile station in the mesh network an information element in a channel switch announcement (CSA) element of an action frame, the information element specifying the alternate channel and the scheduled time when to switch to the alternate channel.
A computer system dynamically adjusts network quality (QoS) in a mesh network. It monitors the actual bandwidth available to devices on the network. If the bandwidth changes, the system adjusts QoS parameters for those devices. These parameters include hierarchical token bucket settings. The system adjusts the depth of the token bucket based on bandwidth changes and adjusts QoS specifically for media traffic (audio/video). The system also schedules channel switches to alternative channels on the mesh network. It sends information about the new channel and the switch time via a channel switch announcement (CSA) in a wireless action frame to access points or mobile stations.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: changing one or more physical connection parameters of the network to improve the actual bandwidth.
The method described above for dynamic QoS adjustment in a mesh network also includes changing physical connection parameters to improve the actual network bandwidth. This could involve adjusting transmission power, antenna settings, or other physical layer parameters to optimize the connection and increase available bandwidth after monitoring actual bandwidth and detecting the change.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information element includes an 802.11 information element.
In the described dynamic QoS adjustment method for mesh networks, the information element sent to devices regarding the upcoming channel switch uses the 802.11 standard. This means that the channel switch announcement (CSA) element leverages the established 802.11 protocol for communicating channel change information within the mesh network.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: reducing a depth of the token bucket in response to a decrease in the actual bandwidth; and increasing QoS for media traffic in response to the decrease in the actual bandwidth, wherein media traffic comprises one or more of video and audio.
Building on the previous method, when the actual bandwidth decreases in the mesh network, the system reduces the depth of the token bucket and increases the QoS for media traffic like video and audio. This prioritizes media streaming when bandwidth is constrained, ensuring better user experience for multimedia applications even when network capacity is reduced by decreasing token bucket depth.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: reducing a token generation rate in response to a decrease in the actual bandwidth.
Continuing from the method using 802.11 information elements, when the actual bandwidth decreases in the mesh network, the system reduces the rate at which tokens are generated for the token bucket. This limits the amount of traffic that can be sent, helping to manage congestion and prevent network overload during periods of reduced bandwidth.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: changing a ceil value for the token bucket in response to detecting a change in the actual bandwidth.
Expanding on the method that uses 802.11 information elements, the system changes the "ceil value" (maximum burst size) for the token bucket when it detects a change in the actual bandwidth. This adjusts the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in a single burst, allowing the system to optimize network performance based on the current bandwidth conditions.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: reducing QoS for non-media traffic in response to detecting a decrease in the actual bandwidth.
In addition to adjusting QoS for media traffic based on network conditions, this method also reduces the QoS for non-media traffic when a decrease in actual bandwidth is detected. This prioritizes important traffic such as video and audio streaming while deprioritizing less critical traffic, maintaining a balance between different service demands.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: allocating a hierarchical token bucket to a subscriber of an internet service provider (ISP), wherein multiple subscribers are associated with a single node in the mesh network.
The dynamic QoS adjustment method involves allocating a hierarchical token bucket to each subscriber of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a mesh network. Multiple subscribers may be associated with a single node in the mesh network, and their traffic is managed individually through the token bucket system.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein unused bandwidth of the multiple subscribers associated with the node is shared between the subscribers via the hierarchical token bucket.
Continuing the concept of allocating hierarchical token buckets to ISP subscribers, the unused bandwidth of multiple subscribers associated with the same node in the mesh network is shared among them via the hierarchical token bucket system. This allows for efficient utilization of network resources, enabling subscribers to potentially access higher bandwidths than their individual allocations when other subscribers are not using their full capacity.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying one or more alternate routes in response to detecting a change in the actual bandwidth; determining an estimated alternate bandwidth associated with the alternate route; and changing to the alternate route if the estimated alternate bandwidth is larger than the actual bandwidth.
The dynamic QoS method also identifies alternate routes within the mesh network when a change in actual bandwidth is detected. The system determines an estimated alternate bandwidth associated with these alternate routes and switches to the alternate route if its estimated bandwidth is higher than the current actual bandwidth. This feature ensures efficient route selection.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: upon detecting the actual bandwidth differing from an expected bandwidth for the mesh network, switching one or more wireless channels of at least one node in the network to one or more alternate channels.
The dynamic QoS system actively monitors the actual bandwidth against an expected bandwidth. If a difference is detected, the system switches wireless channels of nodes to alternate channels. This reacts to network congestion or interference by changing the spectrum used.
12. A computing device configured for dynamic adjustment of quality of service parameters comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to: monitor an actual bandwidth available to one or more computing devices in a mesh network; in response to detecting a change in the actual bandwidth, change one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters of the one or more computing devices, wherein the QoS parameters comprise a token bucket depth for a token bucket associated with the one or more computing devices in the mesh network; adjust a depth of the token bucket in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; and adjust QoS for media traffic in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; schedule a time to perform a channel switch to an alternate channel in the mesh network; and send to at least one of an associated access point and an associated mobile station in the mesh network an information element in a channel switch announcement (CSA) element of an action frame, the information element specifying the alternate channel and the scheduled time when to switch to the alternate channel.
A computing device adjusts network quality (QoS) in a mesh network. It monitors actual bandwidth for devices. If bandwidth changes, it changes QoS parameters including the token bucket depth. The depth is adjusted based on the detected change in bandwidth, and QoS is also adjusted for media traffic. The device schedules channel switches to alternate channels and communicates this through a channel switch announcement (CSA) to access points or mobile stations, including information about alternate channel and switch time.
13. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: change one or more physical connection parameters of the network to improve the actual bandwidth.
The computing device described above for dynamic QoS adjustment also changes physical connection parameters of the network to improve actual bandwidth. This enhances network connections dynamically to counteract changes in conditions after the intitial bandwidth change detection.
14. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the information element includes an 802.11 information element, and wherein the QoS parameters comprise a token generation rate for the token bucket.
In the computing device, the information element containing the channel switch announcement (CSA) uses the 802.11 standard. Furthermore, the QoS parameters that the device adjusts also include the token generation rate for the token bucket, improving congestion control.
15. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the token bucket is a hierarchical token bucket, and wherein tokens associated with the token bucket are sharable between computing devices.
The computing device uses a hierarchical token bucket where tokens are shared between devices. This extends the previous description about using 802.11 information elements and adjusting the token generation rate, promoting efficient network bandwidth use.
16. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: change the token bucket depth and the token generation rate.
The computing device dynamically changes both the token bucket depth and the token generation rate based on network conditions. This capability extends the previous description involving the use of 802.11 information elements, hierarchical token buckets, and token sharing, to provide fine-grained control.
17. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: decrease the token bucket depth in response to a decrease in the actual bandwidth; and provide a higher quality of service for multimedia packets in response to the decrease in the actual bandwidth.
In this computing device, decreasing the token bucket depth occurs when there is a decrease in the actual bandwidth. As part of the adjustment, multimedia packets are given higher quality of service, ensuring that media applications perform well even during periods of limited bandwidth, improving user experience.
18. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: decrease the token generation rate in response to a decrease in the actual bandwidth.
The computing device decreases the token generation rate when the actual bandwidth decreases. This reduces overall network traffic when bandwidth is low, avoiding congestion that builds from media packet transmission, as part of its dynamic traffic shaping capabilities.
19. A computer-program product for dynamically adjusting, by a processor, quality of service parameters, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by the processor to: monitor an actual bandwidth available to one or more computing devices in a mesh network; in response to detecting a change in the actual bandwidth, change one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters of the one or more computing devices, wherein the QoS parameters comprise one or more hierarchical token bucket parameters of a token bucket; adjust a depth of the token bucket in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; and adjust QoS for media traffic in response to the change in the actual bandwidth; schedule a time to perform a channel switch to an alternate channel in the mesh network; and send to at least one of an associated access point and an associated mobile station in the mesh network an information element in a channel switch announcement (CSA) element of an action frame, the information element specifying the alternate channel and the scheduled time when to switch to the alternate channel.
A computer program product on a non-transitory medium adjusts network quality (QoS) in a mesh network. The instructions monitor the available bandwidth for devices and change QoS parameters (hierarchical token bucket settings) if bandwidth changes. The depth of the token bucket is adjusted based on network bandwidth, QoS for media is also modified. The product schedules channel switches to alternate channels in the mesh network and signals this via a channel switch announcement (CSA) element in an action frame.
20. The computer-program product of claim 19 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: change one or more physical connection parameters of the network to improve the actual bandwidth.
The computer program product performing dynamic QoS adjustment also adjusts physical connection parameters of the network to improve the actual bandwidth. This is done dynamically to compensate for observed performance limitations that trigger the QoS adjustments based on bandwidth monitoring.
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April 22, 2016
August 8, 2017
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